King Mohammed renews Morocco's readiness for strategic dialogue with US

Morocco's King Mohammed VI on Monday renewed Morocco's readiness to establish a deep strategic dialogue with the USA on issues of defense, security and struggle against terrorism.

King Mohammed VI renewed the Kingdom's readiness at a meeting in Washington with US Defense Secretary, Donald Rumsfeld, the Royal Office said in a release.

King Mohammed VI, who arrived in Washington Sunday evening on a work visit, is scheduled to meet President George Walker Bush on Tuesday.

King Mohammed VI and Rumsfeld reviewed various aspects of military cooperation between Morocco and USA, the Royal Office said, adding King Mohammed VI underlined the importance of Moroccan-US cooperation for the consolidation of stability and to contribute to peace in the region.

The situation in the Middle East, especially the tragic situation that the Palestinian people have been undergoing over several weeks, was also debated during the king's talks with the US Defense Secretary.

Rumsfeld was accompanied by assistant secretary of defense, Paul Wolfowitz, assistant secretary in charge of political affairs, Peter Fiph, assistant secretary in charge of international security affairs, Peter Rodman, assistant secretary in charge of international security affairs for the Middle East and Southern Asia, William Lutti, and of his close aides. US ambassador to Morocco, Ms Margaret Tutwiler, was also present.

On the Moroccan side, the audience was attended by minister of foreign affairs and cooperation, Mohamed Benaissa, General de division Bouchaib Aroub, head of the Third Bureau of the General Staff of the Moroccan Royal Armed Forces, and General de brigade, General Ahmed Harchi, Director general of the General Direction of Studies and Documentation.